Is There More to “The Wizard of Oz” Than Just a Children’s Story?
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Written by Lyman Frank Baum in 1900, The Wizard of Oz is often thought of as a classic American children’s tale. In reality, the story is about the sad collapse of the Populist movement in the late 1890’s.
Indeed, many of the characters and story lines from the Wizard of Oz are actually a reflection of the Populist dream of having farmers and workers unite to suppress their political adversaries and live a life of cultural, political, and societal bliss. Although this was never to be, how Baum incorporated all of this in the story is quite intriguing and revealing.
The Populist Party
- The Populist Party of the United States was formed as a reaction to the societal changes brought about by industrialization.
- Essentially, the Populist movement wanted to curtail the power of the corporate and financial establishment.
- They attempted to do so by challenging banks, railroads and “Eastern” elites which were seen as forces designed to keep the farmer down through low agriculture prices, high farm debt, and exorbitant freight charges.
- In this, Populists advocated for government ownership of railroads as well as other industries.
- One of the Populist Party’s big initiatives was to move American currency off the gold standard and, instead, be backed by silver.
- The purpose behind this was due to the belief the gold standard for currency was designed to keep interest rates high and money tight, to the detriment of the common man.
- Once urban workers aligned with farmers for this cause, the Populist Movement aligned with the Democratic Party to become a viable force in American politics.
The Wizard of Oz Characters and What They Represent
- Dorothy represents the “every man” or “every woman.”
- The Scarecrow symbolizes the farmer.
- The Tin Man is the industrial worker.
- The Cowardly Lion is used to represent William Jennings Bryan, who headed the Populist Party and ran for President in 1896.
- The Wizard is supposed to be the President of the United States.
- The Munchkins are the “little people” in society, with the yellow brick road representing the gold standard.
- In other words, you can follow the gold all the way to the Emerald City, a.k.a. Washington, D.C., and the Wizard or, in this case, the President.
- That’s why they are travelling through “Oz,” – an abbreviation for ounce, which is the standard measure used for gold – to get there!
- And, what does Toto represent? Nothing really – probably just a dog!
Now the Story . . .
Dorothy Swept out of Kansas and into the Land of Oz
- As is known, The Wizard of Oz begins with Dorothy being swept away from Kansas by a tornado and landing in foreign ground inhabited by “little people.”
- In landing, she accidentally kills the Wicked Witch of the East.
- Why is the East important? Because the East represents the bankers and capitalists of the day who all resided on the east coast of the United States – New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, etc.
- These bankers and capitalists ruled over the munchkins or little people.
- One important thing to point out is that while in the movie version of the story Dorothy begins her journey through the Land of Oz wearing ruby slippers, in the book her magical slippers were silver.
- Remember, one of the Populist Movement’s big initiatives was to move off the gold standard to silver-backed currency.
The Journey to the Emerald City or Washington, D.C.
- While on her journey, Dorothy first runs across The Scarecrow who represents the farmer.
- Why is the Scarecrow looking for a brain?
- Well, according to Baum because farmers did not have enough brains to recognize their political interests. (This is according to Baum, not us!).
- Next on the yellow brick road, Dorothy meets the Tin Man who is rusted solid.
- According to legend, the Tin Man is rusted solid as symbolism as to how industrial factories were shutting down during the depression of 1893.
- Remember though, the Tin Man is looking for a heart which represents dehumanizing factory work where men are turned into machines.
- And the last character Dorothy meets to join her entourage is the Cowardly Lion.
- As noted, the Cowardly Lion who is in need of courage is supposed to be William Jennings Bryan.
- Baum makes William Jennings Bryan the Cowardly Lion as a way of characterizing him as a person with “all bark and no bite!”
Meeting the Wizard
- Once the group is formed, they head off to the Emerald City, or Washington D.C., in hopes the Wizard, or President, will give them what they want.
- When they arrive at their destination, the Wizard plays on their fears and through his power tries to subdue what they want.
- The Wizard let’s them know he will grant them their wishes only if they provide him with the Wicked Witch of the West’s broomstick.
- This request seems overwhelming and is only requested by the Wizard because he believes it can’t be done.
- The group leaves dejected, reflecting the political process.
Twist of Fate
- In a twist of fate, Dorothy accidentally melts the Wicked Witch of the West and is granted her broomstick.
- This plot twist is designed to show how the average person, when joined with others, can make a difference.
- Upon returning to the Wizard, however, they are told to “come back tomorrow” which is, again, a reflection of the political process.
- Instead of leaving, Toto pulls back the curtain to reveal the Wizard, or President, is a fraud – just a little, old, wrinkled-up man who admits he is only an ordinary person who rules by deceiving people into thinking he is more than what he actually is.
- In other words, there is nothing great about the President.
A Little Utopia and Reality at the End of the Story
- In the book version of the story, at the end the Scarecrow is left in charge of Oz while the Tin Man is left to rule the East.
- This is done to symbolize the Populist dream of the farmer and worker gaining political power, which was never to come true.
- The Cowardly Lion is sent back to the forest as recognition of William Jennings Bryan retreat from national politics after losing the 1896 Presidential election to William McKinley.
- The Wizard flies off in a hot air balloon – notice “hot air” – to start a new life.
- Dorothy is able to return home with the aid of her silver shoes, but once in Kansas realizes they have fallen off representing the demise of the movement for silver-backed currency.
There you have it! What was once thought to be a simple children’s book about some imaginary characters is actually a political allegory about turn-of-the-century America. Who’d a thunk it? So next time you’re reading a book or watching a movie at “face value,” take a step back and think – there may be more to it than simple entertainment!